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Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Michigan: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Michigan Circuit Court (Family Division) and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity in Michigan is filed in the Family Division of the Circuit Court (county of residence), costs about $175, and requires a newspaper notice unless it's waived. Most cases finish in 8–16 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.

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What it costs

Filing fee
$175

A name change tied to gender identity uses the same $175 circuit-court process; fee waivers under MCR 2.002 are available.

Court
Family Division of the Circuit Court (county of residence)

Family Division of the Circuit Court in the county where you live

Timeline
8–16 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Instead of the standard PC 51, file Form PC 51c (Petition for Name Change and Ex Parte Request for Nonpublication and Confidential Record) if you have good cause — such as a safety risk — to keep the case private.

  2. 2

    Explain the good cause for nonpublication in the petition; if the judge grants the ex parte request, notice is not published and the record is kept confidential.

  3. 3

    If you are under 22, complete the required background check; adults 22 and older no longer need a fingerprint check as of April 2, 2025.

  4. 4

    Attend the hearing and receive the signed Form PC 52 order, then change your gender marker separately at the Michigan SOS (driver's license/ID) and through MDHHS Vital Records for your birth record.

Official forms

Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.

FormCodeOfficial link
Petition for Name Change and Ex Parte Request for Nonpublication and Confidential RecordPC 51cOpen ↗
Order Following Hearing Regarding Petition for Name ChangePC 52Open ↗
MDHHS Vital Records (birth record / gender marker)—Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Required (waivable) — Michigan lets you request nonpublication and a confidential record for good cause (Form PC 51c); a granted request keeps the name change out of the newspaper and seals the file.
Background check: Background check sometimes required
Good to know in Michigan:
  • • Michigan offers a real privacy option: Form PC 51c lets a judge grant nonpublication and seal the record for good cause, which is commonly used for safety-related and gender-identity name changes.
  • • The legal name change and the gender-marker updates on your ID and birth record are separate steps handled by the court, the Secretary of State, and MDHHS Vital Records.

Then update your IDs

Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Michigan license, then your passport and accounts.

Who to notify →Build my checklist →See my timeline →

Gender identity name change in nearby states

North Carolina →New Jersey →Georgia →Virginia →

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Michigan: FAQ

How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in Michigan?
About $175, filed in the Family Division of the Circuit Court (county of residence). A name change tied to gender identity uses the same $175 circuit-court process; fee waivers under MCR 2.002 are available..
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Michigan?
Usually, but it can be waived. Michigan lets you request nonpublication and a confidential record for good cause (Form PC 51c); a granted request keeps the name change out of the newspaper and seals the file.
Is a gender-identity name change private in Michigan?
Michigan lets you request nonpublication and a confidential record for good cause (Form PC 51c); a granted request keeps the name change out of the newspaper and seals the file.
How long does it take in Michigan?
Typically 8–16 weeks from filing to a signed order, then Social Security (7–10 business days), the DMV, and your passport (4–6 weeks).
What do I do after the judge signs my order in Michigan?
Order certified copies, then update Social Security first, the DMV next, then your passport, banks, and employer. Our Who-To-Notify Checklist builds the full ordered list.

Sources

Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:

See our verification methodology and themaster source list.

Last verified July 16, 2026Reviewed by the Name Change Atlas Editorial Team against official court and .gov sources.